New
York City DEP Asks Your Cooperation In Program To Protect New York City
Water Supply System Against Pollution, Crime And Terrorism

Become
a Water Watch C.O.P. (Community Outreach Program)

CALL
WATER-WATCH HOTLINE AT 1-888 H20 SHED

Calling on community residents, recreational users, hunters, fishermen,
hikers and organizations to participate in a Comprehensive Community
Effort To Reduce Pollution, Crime and Terrorism, DEP Commissioner
Christopher O. Ward announced today that DEP has launched “Water
Watch,” a community outreach program to assist DEP’s environmental
police in monitoring the safety of our Agency’s water supply facilities
both in-city and in the upstate watersheds.

“I am asking everyone to be the ‘eyes and ears’ of
the Department’s Environmental Police,” said Commissioner
Ward. “Residents who live near our in-city facilities and recreational
users of our upstate watershed areas are most likely to observe suspicious,
unusual or dangerous activity. DEP police are always looking for any information
that will help them protect the City’s water supply lands and drinking
water facilities. If you observe any questionable activities, please call
the Water-Watch Hotline at 1-888 H20 SHED (426-7433). Your calls to the
Hotline will generate a prompt response or proper referral, and will be
held in strictest confidence,” continued Commissioner Ward.

The program is designed as a valuable addition to the City’s front-line
against terrorism, pollution and crime. It will not only complement DEP’s
first-class police presence, but also help to maintain the region’s
pristine beauty and ensure that

land remains free of pollution, exploitation and illegal activities;

trespassers attempting access to restricted watershed land or reservoir
locations are immediately intercepted;

recreational watershed lands are used appropriately, and

In-city facilities are safe for employees and protected from terrorism,
vandalism and crime.

For further information about the Program or how to become a Water Watch
C.O.P., Please call: 1 888 H2O-SHED.